2009 Hot Rod Reunion - Old-School Reunion

The Hot Rod Reunion was one of the events I used to travel to from England to attend, along with the old West Coast Customs Paso Robles event, before I made the big move across the globe. It has remained one of my must-do events ever since. While I'm not a die-hard drag racing fan, there's something about the mix of vintage race cars and nostalgic hot rods that appeals to me, and this event offers so much to see and do, both on and off-and away from-the track that it's an action-packed weekend.

2/25This one caused a lot of head scratching, some suggesting it was a modified Chevy coupe body, or the back half of a sedan, but it's actually a virtually stock Austin Bantam body. And yes, the wheel arches did go into the doors as stock!

It's easy to see why it's become the premier gathering of vintage drag racers and their cars-quite apart from the fact that it also hosts the finals of the NHRA Heritage Drag Racing Series-and 2009 saw the 18th staging of the Reunion at Famoso Raceway, just north of Bakersfield, California. Whether you wanted to spend all weekend in the bleachers watching the racing, park up in the tree-lined Grove or at the end of the track, tour the pits watching the teams prep their cars, or browse the swap meet or vendor booths, you couldn't fail to have a good time. Then there's the evening entertainment, with race cars firing up on nitro in the hot rod-filled parking lot of the Doubletree hotel on Friday night, and the insane cacklefest on the track Saturday night, making for long days and sore feet!

I'm personally pleased to see vintage Funny Cars at this event, especially as I was 6,000 miles away when they were racing in anger the first time around. It's the closest you can get to a time machine, with the staging lanes full of Funnies, fuelers, Altereds, and gassers. It's also one of the few places outside of a museum where you can see historic cars, such as the Art Arfons' Green Monster, the Stone, Woods, and Cook Willys (two of 'em this year!), and Don Garlits' early Swamp Rat cars, along with a few surprises. Considering these are race cars, and as such were almost dispensable after they ceased to be competitive, it's amazing how many survived and continue to be unearthed. Long may it continue!

22/25

A Funny Thing Happened ...
For me, one of the best sights of the Reunion was seeing the Funny Cars in eliminations. Although they use modern parts just like the top fuelers, they can be hidden under the bodies, preserving their period appearance. I just hope they keep to nostalgic bodies, as one or two seemed to be a little too aerodynamic for their era. However, low 6- and high 5-second runs in the 230-mph region from these early bodied Funnies made our weekend!

Garret Bateman in the Plueger & Gyger Mach 1 Mustang qualified in the No. 1 spot, and although he dropped out in Round One with mechanical problems, he had enough of a points lead to take the championship, with teammate Bucky Austin holding onto Second Place despite also exiting competition in Round One.